Graduate Student Senate endorsed the proposed waivable health fee yesterday on conditions that the money is used solely for improvements in Student Health Services and that the administration subsidizes $400,000 spread evenly toward graduate student health care.
At last night's meeting, Executive Director of Student Health Services Charlene Smith and Business Manager of Hudson Health Center Jacqueline Legg presented an overview of health insurance, costs and future plans for Student Health Services.
They approached the senate with a proposed $40 health fee, which will be charged at the beginning of each fee schedule, similar to the student legal fee.
Students can pay the quarterly fee or waive the charge and face costs in the form of co-payment, essentially a charge for services per visit.
The fee could shave approximately $500,000 from the general fee deficit if at least 50 percent of the student body opts to pay the fee and help to establish a sustainable funding model for health services, according to the presentation.
Starting in fall 2008, Student Health Services will also implement fee-for-service charges and begin the process of billing private insurers.
Smith said the fees could fund improvements in student health services, counseling and psychological services and health promotion such as hiring several new full-time psychologists and a instituting a women's health clinic.
With the rising costs of health care, which is a reality that everyone is facing, the administration is willing to work with the students, Smith said.
Approximately 12,000 of 20,000 students per year come to the health center, Legg said.
We need a pool of money so that every year we're not facing another deficit
she said.
Senators expressed uncertainty in the implications and future of the fee should it be implemented.
Senator Jennette Lovejoy said she questioned how much could be done with the fee in one year, especially since the fee is not guaranteed.
If all doesn't go as planned, everyone will be back to the basic services they have had, she said.
Senator Jennifer Dunn also questioned the potential uses of the fee and said she didn't want the money making up for potential budget cuts.
Senator Drew Pusateri said that the majority of the students would not benefit from the fee, arguing that the estimate of students who would not opt out, approximately 40 percent, was too high of an estimate.
This fee for the average student is a large monetary loss he said. This is a just a revenue-generating enterprise. It's not just giving students a choice it's giving students a choice plus taxing the students.
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